Germany Gasshuku and the European Championships

For me this last mission to Germany and Sweden was much more than I expected. I didn't know what to expect at first. What did I have to offer traveling and accompanying  this group of Kimura Shukokai leaders from America that I've looked up to and have learned from for so many years? How could  my 22+ years of limited experience possibly contribute to nearly 200 years of combined experience most of which had been with Kimura Sensei? What is the best way to contribute to the Germany Gasshuku and the European Championships? I wanted this trip to be successful on so many levels.

From the moment we all met in the airport I knew "TEAM" USA was on everyone's mind. We were all wearing our Team USA jackets from the last world tournament. If you didn't know any better, you would have thought it was planned. From that moment on we were a true TEAM in every sense of the word. Three days training in Falkensee Germany , traveling 155 mph on the Autobahn, sightseeing in Hamburg , Berlin and Stockholm , training and learning at the European Championships Gasshuku, refereeing, socializing, joking...; we never stopped looking out for each other from the U.S. to Germany to Sweden and back home. The positive energy was infectious and drove each one of us to improve on our weaknesses.

I  wanted to see unity deepen within the upper ranks of the American Shukokai Karate Union, to learn as much as I could about Mr. Kimura and his technique, to give back to KSI, and to show these men that the sacrifices made to develop the Budo they have been striving for so many years has not been wasted and a legacy has been left by them. Every man must know this I think. Not only do I feel these objectives were met,  but I feel on some small level I have been accepted by my peers as a true martial artist. Something as important to me as the beating heart in my chest and to be never taken for granted. I now realize that I had just as much to offer as they did. Just on a different level. Another
positive point of view, another lifetime....

By no means is it done. There is never an end, only a beginning. There are many others that weren't on this trip that should have been and were missed. But that is the beauty of what we do. There will be another time, another place, another positive experience to contribute to and learn from. It is our way of life....

Jason I. Niemi
Michigan , USA

The trip to Germany was one of the best we have had so far.  Shihan Bressaw was joined by Sensei Mac Albus, Sensei Gavin, Sensei Jason, Sensei Mokhtar, and Ron Conklin for a training session.  We trained hard for 3 days and really appreciate the wonderful reception that we received from Sensei Eddie Horn and all his students. We also had time to relax and visit Hamburg which was very interesting to everyone. We spent a day in Berlin where we visited the Olympia Stadium where Jesse Owens won the Olympic gold medal in 1936 and the Berlin Museum to view many ancient artifacts from civilizations dating back to the its beginnings in the middle east and Egypt.

From Germany , we went to Sweden for the Shukokai European Championship.  Sensei Alex joined us there.  Many thanks to Sensei Mika and his students for their hospitality. We had a great time.
Thanks to Shihan Bressaw for making it possible for making it possible for those of us from the U.S. to participate in this event.

Mokhtar